---
title: DMs, mentions, and alerts
---

import {Steps} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

import FlattenedSteps from "../../components/FlattenedSteps.astro";
import NavigationSteps from "../../components/NavigationSteps.astro";
import ZulipTip from "../../components/ZulipTip.astro";

import TrashIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/trash";

You can configure desktop, mobile, and email notifications for
[direct messages (DMs)](/help/direct-messages),
[mentions](/help/mention-a-user-or-group), and [alert
words](#alert-words).

## Configure notifications

These settings will affect notifications for direct messages, group
direct messages, mentions, and alert words.

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/notifications" />

  1. In the **Notification triggers** table, toggle the settings for **DMs, mentions, and alerts**.
</FlattenedSteps>

You can also hide the content of direct messages (and group direct
messages) from desktop notifications.

<Steps>
  1. Under **Desktop message notifications**, toggle
     **Include content of direct messages in desktop notifications**.
</Steps>

## Wildcard mentions

You can configure which types of notifications you want to receive for wildcard
mentions (**@all**, **@everyone**, **@channel**) and **@topic** mentions
separately from personal @-mentions.

<ZulipTip>
  These mentions don't trigger notifications in muted channels or topics,
  unlike personal mentions.
</ZulipTip>

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/notifications" />

  1. In the **Notification triggers** table, toggle the **@all** checkbox for
     **Channels** or **Followed topics**.
</FlattenedSteps>

Additionally, you can override this configuration for individual
channels in your [Channel settings](/help/channel-notifications), and
administrators can [restrict use of wildcard
mentions](/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions) in large channels.

## Alert words

Zulip lets you to specify **alert words or phrases** that send you a desktop
notification whenever the alert word is included in a message. Alert words are
case-insensitive.

<ZulipTip>
  Alert words in messages you receive while the alert is enabled will be highlighted.
</ZulipTip>

### Add an alert word or phrase

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/alert-words" />

  1. Click **Add alert word**.
  1. Type a word or phrase, and click **Add**.
</FlattenedSteps>

### Remove an alert word or phrase

<FlattenedSteps>
  <NavigationSteps target="settings/alert-words" />

  1. Click the **delete** (<TrashIcon />) icon next to the
     alert word that you would like to remove.
</FlattenedSteps>

## Related articles

* [Desktop notifications](/help/desktop-notifications)
* [Email notifications](/help/email-notifications)
* [Mobile notifications](/help/mobile-notifications)
* [Restrict wildcard mentions](/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions)
* [Channel notifications](/help/channel-notifications)
* [View your mentions](/help/view-your-mentions)
* [Do not disturb](/help/do-not-disturb)
